Srinagar, Apr 1: In a major relief to healthcare workers engaged on a contractual basis during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jammu and Kashmir government has said it is actively processing the release of their pending salaries, nearly three years after their disengagement.
The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department said that the move is in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India.
In a written reply to Assembly Question No 1437 raised by MLA Dr Narinder Singh Raina, the department stated that it is “actively processing the release of pending salaries for disengaged DRDO employees who worked on a contractual basis during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The department referred to the apex court’s judgment dated November 24, 2025, in SLP No. 31281/2025 titled Vishal Sharma & Ors, which directed the release of salaries to the disengaged staff.
The employees, including doctors, paramedical and allied staff, had been engaged on a contractual basis and were instrumental in operationalising the 500-bedded temporary COVID care hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu.
According to the government, their contractual tenure had officially ended on December 31, 2022. However, many continued to discharge duties till April 15, 2023, “due to public service exigencies.”
The department informed the House that detailed attendance and work-done reports had been obtained from the principals of Government Medical College, Srinagar, and Government Medical College, Jammu.
“These certified reports confirm that the majority of the staff remained on duty during the relevant period. There were, however, some cases involving admissible leave, resignation or unauthorised absence,” the reply said.
It added that the matter is under active consideration and necessary action for release of salaries will be taken after completion of procedural formalities and requisite approvals.
The H&ME Department also clarified that there was no “deliberate delay attributable to any officer,” stating that the process involved collection of attendance records, proposal for ex-post facto extension of contractual engagement, and financial concurrence for release of funds.
The decision is expected to bring relief to hundreds of healthcare workers who had served on the frontlines during the pandemic, playing a crucial role in managing COVID-19 facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
